Broken Bond: Between Vices and Virtues (BL)
Chapter 238 - 24: An inevitable meeting

Chapter 238: Chapter 24: An inevitable meeting

A few days passed after that confrontation, and even Steve was starting to get worried about his master. He reported good news about the progress of the investigation into the forces wanting to bring their company down, but the chairman just nodded and dismissed him.

Nathaniel couldn’t concentrate at work. Despite his focus and discipline over the years, his mind kept drifting back to Killian. He had tried to respect his wishes, but the pain of losing him was unbearable.

So, he took matters into his own hands, going against Killian’s request and relentlessly pursuing him. He knew it wasn’t right, that he was crossing boundaries, but his heart refused to let go.

Every day, he found excuses to see Killian—whether it was dropping by Emily’s house under the pretense of work or leaving small gifts on his desk. Flowers, chocolates, notes—each one was carefully chosen, each one a desperate attempt to remind Killian of his affection.

But no matter what he did, Killian remained distant. He confronted Nathaniel once, and the alpha had tried to explain himself, but all Killian could see was a man who wasn’t loyal. His cold, resolute words echoed in Nathaniel’s mind.

"You don’t get to claim love after everything you’ve done."

"Please, stop this, sir. I don’t appreciate this."

But Nathaniel was determined. He couldn’t just give up. He had waited too long and lived in the shadows of his own life for too many years. Now that he had found someone who made him feel alive, how could he let him go? Even if it meant groveling, even if it meant pushing past every boundary, he would win Killian back.

Unbeknownst to him, his selfish actions posed a danger to Killian.

It was the first Friday of December, when Killian, upon settling back on his desk after inhaling the afternoon air of the cold winter on the rooftop, received a call from an unknown number. He hesitated to answer it, but he realized it might be one of those rental agents.

"Yes, hello?"

No one answered him, to the point that he checked twice if he pressed the answer button or not. "Who is this?"

A minute of silence passed by again. Killian was ready to end the call when a feminine voice finally echoed from the other line. "Is this...Killian Arden?"

Killian furrowed his brows. "Yes, it’s Killian. May I ask who you are?"

The female voice became sharp. "This is Geraldine Horace. Nathaniel’s wife."

Killian’s heart sank at the name—Geraldine Horace. He knew exactly who she was before she even introduced herself further.

His throat tightened as he gripped the phone. This was Nathaniel’s wife, the woman Nathaniel had barely spoken of but was undeniably present, like a shadow over their entire twisted relationship.

"Mrs. Horace..." Killian began, his voice cautious. He didn’t know what to expect, but the tension in his gut warned him that this conversation wouldn’t end well. "Why are you calling me?"

"I think you know why," Geraldine said, her voice sharp and precise, each word cutting like glass. There was no warmth, no pretense. This was not a woman who wanted to make small talk. "I’d like us to meet."

Killian’s pulse quickened, but he tried to maintain his composure. "I don’t think there’s anything we need to talk about, Mrs. Horace," he replied, keeping his tone formal. "Whatever you think you know—"

"I know everything, Mr. Arden," Her voice was cold, but there was a distinct confidence in her words that made Killian’s blood run cold. "It’s not that difficult to find out about you. You’re an orphan, abandoned by your parents in a small orphanage, which you now support with your measly salary. You have a friend you met at school, a female beta who seems to harbor feelings for you. Hmm... what else would you like to hear, Mr. Arden? If you refuse to meet me, I can tell just anyone I pass by how you met my husband and your relationship with him. I tend to talk a lot even to strangers whenever I get bored from waiting."

The threat landed like a punch in Killian’s gut. His breath caught in his throat as he processed her words. He tried to steady himself, gripping the edge of his desk so hard that his knuckles turned white. She couldn’t be serious... could she?

"Mrs. Horace, I—"

"Don’t even think about lying to me," Geraldine interrupted, her voice unwavering. "I’ve had you followed. I know exactly what’s been going on between you and my husband. Do you think you can hide this forever? Do you think people won’t talk? They already are, Mr. Arden. And trust me, I can make sure that every single rumor becomes fact."

Killian’s heart pounded in his chest. His thoughts raced as he tried to find a way out of this, but he knew he was trapped.

If Geraldine exposed the affair, it wouldn’t just be him who suffered. His reputation, his career—it would all be over. And as much as he didn’t want to think about Nathaniel, the scandal would ruin him too.

"...What do you want?" Killian finally asked, his voice strained with resignation.

"I want you to meet with me," Geraldine said, her tone unkind and condescending. "This isn’t a request, Killian. You owe me that much after what you’ve done."

Killian squeezed his eyes shut. What choice did he have? He had to face her, had to deal with the consequences of his involvement with a married man. As much as he wanted to deny it, he was complicit in all of this.

"...right," Killian muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Where should we meet?"

Geraldine’s response was immediate. "There’s a café in the city center. I’ll send you the address. Be there in an hour. And Mr. Arden, don’t try to run. This meeting will happen one way or another."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Killian staring blankly at his phone. His hands trembled as he set it down on the desk. For a moment, he couldn’t move. He felt sick, the bile rising up his throat.

He glanced around the office, half-expecting someone to notice his turmoil, but his coworkers were absorbed in their tasks, oblivious to the storm raging inside him. He wanted to scream, to punch something, to somehow escape the mess his life had become. But there was no way out now.

Taking a deep breath, Killian grabbed his coat and headed out. His mind was racing as he walked down the street, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know what Geraldine had planned for this meeting, but he knew it wouldn’t be pleasant.

However, part of him was stupidly blaming himself for this... whispering in his conscience...he deserved this.

Meanwhile, back at the building, Nathaniel was pacing in his office, restless and agitated. He had noticed Killian’s absence earlier in the day and couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest.

Steve had informed him of Killian taking half a day off, but Nathaniel wondered if it was because of the relentless pressure he had been putting on the man.

Despite Killian’s cold dismissal, Nathaniel had persisted, driven by the gnawing ache in his heart and the desperate need to win him back. But now... something felt off.

His phone buzzed, pulling him from his thoughts. It was Steve again.

"Sir," Steve began, his voice hesitant. "I thought you should know... Madame Geraldine has arrived in the country."

Nathaniel’s heart skipped a beat. "Geraldine?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.

"Yes, sir. And there’s more... She hired a private investigator."

The blood drained from Nathaniel’s face. He felt his world tilt, the ground beneath him shifting dangerously. "A private investigator?" he repeated, his voice barely steady.

"Yes, chairman," Steve confirmed. "I believe she’s looking into your recent activities, sir. She didn’t head straight to the mansion, but she seemed to be meeting someone—

Nathaniel ended the call abruptly.

Geraldine had never been one to sit idly by, especially when she suspected something. She was smart, calculating, and ruthless when it came to protecting her image—and her family. If she had hired an investigator, then it was only a matter of time before she confronted him.

Or worse—Killian.

He immediately dialed Killian’s number, his fingers trembling as he pressed the buttons. The call rang and rang, but there was no answer. Panic surged through him. He tried again, but it went straight to voicemail. His heart raced. Something was wrong.

He dialed another number—Geraldine’s this time. It took only two rings before she answered.

"Nathaniel," she said smoothly as if she had been expecting his call.

"Where are you?" Nathaniel demanded, skipping the formalities.

There was a pause, and he could almost hear the smug smile in her voice. "Why are you asking when you already know the answer, dear husband?" Geraldine said calmly. "He’s lovely, but is he really an omega? I don’t smell his pheromones at all, even if I showered him with mine."

Nathaniel’s blood ran cold. "Geraldine, don’t—"

"Oh, don’t worry," she interrupted. "I haven’t done anything... yet. But Nathaniel, you should be more concerned about the things you’ve already done. I’m sure your little friend here will have plenty to say by the time we’re finished."

"Where are you?" Nathaniel’s voice was tight with urgency.

However, the call ended without him hearing an answer. Nathaniel cursed inwardly. Geraldine was an alpha, and despite knowing that she must have hated Killian so much to think of touching him, an alpha’s pheromones can still harm an omega if they intend to.

Nathaniel didn’t waste time. He called Steve to find out where his wife was.